Self-heating container

Abstract

A self-heating container comprising a heater contained in a container. The heater includes a pyrogen of high energy density having a large heating value, and a firing agent contacting the pyrogen and easier to fire than the pyrogen. Each of the pyrogen and the firing agents is a mixture of one or more kinds of metal oxide powder and one or more kinds of powder of elementary substances or alloys of metal and semimetal. The heater is supported on a wall of the container through a heat insulator to reduce the heat loss. The insulator has a bore formed through it and extending between the firing agent and the outside of the container. An igniter can be inserted into the bore to ignite the firing agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A self-heating container comprising: an inner casing fixed to and inside said container,   a heater contained in said casing and including a pyrogen and a firing agent in contact with said pyrogen,   said pyrogen comprising a mixture of at least one kind of metal oxide powder and at least one kind of powder of elementary substance or an alloy of metal and semimetal,   said firing agent being easier to fire than said pyrogen, and comprising a mixture of at least one kind of metal oxide powder and at least one kind of powder of elementary substance or alloy of metal and semimetal,   a heat insulator contained in said casing under said pyrogen and insulating said heater from said container,   said insulator having a bore formed therethrough and extending between said firing agent and the outside of said container, and   an igniter adapted to generate sparks by friction heat, at least a separate component of said igniter being normally supported by said container away from said heater and being adapted to be inserted into said bore.   
     
     
       2. A self-heating container comprising: a casing fixed to said container,   a heater contained in said casing and including a pyrogen and a firing agent in contact with said pyrogen,   said pyrogen comprising a mixture of at least one kind of metal oxide powder and at least one kind of powder of elementary substance or an alloy of metal and semimetal,   said firing agent being easier to fire than said pyrogen, and comprising a mixture of at least one kind of metal oxide powder and at least one kind of powder of elementary substance or alloy of metal and semimetal, and   a heat insulator contained in said casing under said pyrogen and insulating said heater from said container,   said insulator having a bore formed therethrough and extending between said firing agent and the outside of said container to receive at least part of an igniter, and said container comprising a cylindrical peripheral wall, wherein said casing is cylindrical and includes an upper portion surrounding said pyrogen and said firing agent and a lower portion surrounding said insulator, said first portion being substantially smaller in diameter than said second portion, said second portion being slightly smaller in diameter than said peripheral wall.   
     
     
       3. A container according to claim 1, wherein said igniter comprises a flint. 
     
     
       4. A container according to claim 1, wherein said igniter comprises a hard member fixed to said inner casing adjacent said firing agent, and a flint bar normally supported away from said heater and adapted to be inserted into said bore and rubbed against said hard member. 
     
     
       5. A container according to claim 1 or 3, and further comprising an outer peripheral wall outside said inner casing, said wall being surrounded by a heat insulator. 
     
     
       6. A container according to claim 1 or 3, and further comprising a top lid and a plastic cover normally placed over said top lid, said cover serving to close the top of said container after said top lid is opened and serving as a tableware after said cover is removed from said top. 
     
     
       7. A container according to claim 1 or 3, and further comprising an inner bead formed in said peripheral wall and a porous plate fixed between said bead and said casing. 
     
     
       8. A container according to claim 1 or 3, and further comprising a desiccant contained in said casing. 
     
     
       9. A container according to claim 1 or 3, wherein said insulator includes a gas and smoke filter. 
     
     
       10. A container according to claim 1 or 3, wherein said casing has a top recess to increase the heat transfer area. 
     
     
       11. A container according to claim 6, wherein at least a separate component of said igniter is supported on the inner side of said lid. 
     
     
       12. A container according to claim 5, and further including a vertical tubular support for supporting at least a separate component of said igniter therein, said support being fixed to the inner side of said peripheral wall and having an open top and a bottom hole. 
     
     
       13. A container according to claim 1 or 3, and further comprising a heat-conductive metal plate in contact with an inner wall of said casing and in said insulator, said metal plate having a hole aligned with said bore and a gas release hole. 
     
     
       14. A container according to claim 1 or 3, and further comprising a deep bottom countersink and a calked bottom covered by a heat insulator.